Solyndra,
the much-vaunted solar energy company that declared bankruptcy
last week leaving taxpayers on the hook for over $500 million in
federal loans, had an unusual relationship with the Obama
administration — allowing officials to sit in on board meetings
as "observers,"
ABC News reports.

The company's offices were raided on Thursday by the FBI relating
to a probe by the Department of Energy's inspector general —
likely into the terms of the loan.

The Department fast-tracked Solyndra's loan, and included a
guarantee that private investors would be repaid before the
federal government in the event the company went under.

Republican lawmakers have been criticizing the administration
over the loan and subsequent bankruptcy — which left 1,100 people
out of work. The House Energy and Commerce Committee will
investigate the relationship between the administration and
Solyndra in a
hearing next week.